Important Changes to Make to the Office | Affordable Office Interiors

Every day we inch closer and closer to our eventual return to the office, regardless of whichever industry one might work in. With that return to work, the office that we once knew will undergo some drastic changes as we approach the “new normal”.

Make the Office Safe

This one might seem obvious, but making the office a safe space where employees feel comfortable working is a crucial step to not overlook. Spacing desks apart, limiting in-person meetings, and providing PPE to those that need it is just one of the many things companies can do to ensure that their employees have the confidence to return to work.

“Some examples of PPE equipment are: screens and cough guards at places like reception stations, workstations if panel heights are low, private offices if there will be regular in-person meetings, conference rooms, and break spaces. In all of the above spaces, it is important to administer social distancing. If business owners want to take it a level higher, they should also consider offsetting the number of people in the office at any given time. Let a workspace be vacant for 48 hours before someone occupies it again.” Tony De Almedia – Workplace Design Consultant

Collaboration Won’t Go Away

Just because there is new social distancing measures to make everyone feel safe doesn’t mean that collaboration between co-workers will go away. In fact, it’s because of this that collaboration will become even more important. Over-communicating between each other and having workplace technologies are a good first step to making it so your colleagues don’t lose efficiencies.

“In order for offices to thrive in the new office environment, spaces need to allow for collaboration while adhering by social distancing. This can be done by limiting in-person meetings are utilizing video conferencing technologies.” Nicole Wynkoop, Director of Design,

Let Your Employees Know You Care About Them

Another often overlooked step is communicating that you hear the concerns of your colleagues and are taking steps to make them feel more comfortable with the return to work. Simple signage within the workspace or sending internal communications letting everyone know that the company is taking every precaution available to make everyone safe is one of the easiest ways to increase workplace confidence and boost morale.

“Create a physical space that not only separates employees physically as with acrylic or glass screens but also communicates the need for a change in behavior to maintain social distancing, disinfect, wear a mask remain. Also, you can reconfigure furniture, add screens, add signage especially on the floors to designate walking patterns and distancing.” William Reid, Senior Account Manager,